July 2005 Issue
In this months Issue:
Where Did the Color Go?
Are Your Kids Going Away to Camp?
The Dirty Truth About Golf Bags
Home Laundry Tip
When you decide to buy a garment, what makes it attractive to you? Is it the style, the fit, the way it makes you feel when you wear it? Well, there's also one more factor that influences your decision to buy the item: the color. Most consumers assume that once they buy an item, the color will stay the same, no matter how many washings the garment undergoes.
The federal government agrees: the Care Label Rule states that the color in a garment must be able to withstand the recommended care procedure. So, for example, if the dyes in a multi-colored shirt are not colorfast in water, bleeding will occur. That means that the dye will migrate into adjacent areas during the washing process. This dye migration is definitely not acceptable!!
Some dyes do dissolve in water and are partially removed during laundering. After the first laundering, the lightening of color may be noticeable, or it may be progressive and only be apparent after several washings.
If you find that a garment experiences color loss due to laundering or dry cleaning, it should be returned to the retailer for a refund or an exchange.
Since 1997, clothing manufacturers have begun using symbols on labels to help consumers better understand how to best take care of their garments. These symbols are included along with written instructions. Trying to figure out what the symbols mean, however, can be a daunting task.
This month, let's talk about the symbols for bleach. After all, incorrect use of bleach can absolutely ruin your favorite items. All three symbols related to bleaching use a triangle motif. A plain triangle means "any bleach when needed." This means you can use either chlorine or non-chlorine bleach products if an item is very soiled or dingy looking. A triangle with two diagonal lines through it means "only non-chlorine bleach when needed." If you try to use chlorine bleach, like Clorox, your garment may be damaged. Finally, if you see a black triangle with an x through it, that means "do not bleach" and that's pretty self-explanatory.
Are Your Kids Going Away to Camp?
More and more children are enjoying an experience at overnight summer camp. Whether the camp program is for a week or a month, your child is likely to come home with clothes that need some serious attention. Instead of dragging mountains of laundry to the laundromat, or spending hours and hours in your laundry area, how about letting us do the dirty work for you? We're happy to clean your child's bedding, linens, camp shirts, sleeping bags and other items so you'll have more time this summer to enjoy your free time.
The Dirty Truth About Golf Bags
You throw them in the trunk of your car, lug them around a big grassy field, then stash them in the garage or a closet when not in use, No wonder your golf bag is a mess!
We know lots of people get enjoyment from a clean-looking car. How about your golf bag? Every now and then, it's a good idea to shine it up.
Since most bags are made of vinyl or leather, cleanup can be simple and fast. Grab two soft rags or cloths and some moisturizing body soap (regular soap won't do, sorry!). Dampen one of the cloths and lather it up with the soap. Rub the bag, rinsing and relathering when necessary, until the bag looks clean. Now take the other rag and dry it well...do not rinse.
Now you're ready to hit the links!
Home Laundry Tip
Your clothes are in the washing machine, and you don't have much time to dry them. What can you do to speed up the process? We have two suggestions. When the washing cycle is completed, take out the lighter-weight garments and put them in the dryer. Then run the heavier items through spin cycle again. This will reduce the moisture of the heavy items, and allow the lighter garments to dry faster on their own. One further suggestion: if you're in a rush and only have a few items that need to be dried, try adding a thick, dry towel into the dryer with those garments. The towel will absorb some of the moisture and your items will finish more quickly.